Scottsdale, Arizona, United States: Troon has published an insightful and detailed industry report into amateur golfers across the US. Among other things, it reveals that golf getaways and digital engagement are a key focus for the average American golfer.

The report, developed by Troon International (the international division of Troon) in collaboration with Azalea, is based on data from more than 10,000 respondents to the 2024 Troon Golfer Survey alongside other trusted sources such as the National Golf Foundation (NGF), examines the playing, spending and travel habits of the sport’s largest national market.

The report, endorsed by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) and released in conjunction with IAGTO’s 16th annual North America Golf Tourism Convention being held this week in Birmingham, Alabama, provides golf industry professionals with valuable data to help understand this important sector.

Among the key takeaways from the deep dive report was the conclusion that more than half of US players (a group of approximately 23 million in total) take at least one golf trip per year with 31 per cent taking two or more.

With an average length of 3.33 days, these trips are common to either Florida and California or to overseas destinations such as Scotland, Ireland and the Iberian Peninsula.

The study also revealed that more than one third of today’s US golfers book their rounds online, underlining the importance of an efficient and user-friendly booking platform for clubs. Notably, 57 per cent of players used their smartphones for booking.

Another of the most striking statistics for golf venues is the revelation that more than half of surveyed players ranked dining and retail as two of the most important factors when selecting a destination for their golf vacations.

According to results, offering a diverse range of high-quality food, beverage and shopping options increased customer spending and made them more likely to visit a venue.

Premium, curated golf vacation packages proved to be key to capturing the interests of affluent travelling golfers; responses also indicated that a well-maintained and playable course was one of the decisive factors in whether a guest would be likely to return. 

“US golfers are travelling here and abroad for golf vacations more than ever, presenting a growing opportunity for domestic and international destinations,” said Kris Strauss, Executive Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Troon.

“We are confident facilities and industry professionals will find this report to be a valuable resource to help in tailoring offerings to attract US golfers,” headed.

*Troon is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.